SQ2SQ 2008: Day 10: Tuesday 9 September 2008: Palma, Italy to Ostellato, Italy - 98 miles/158km

image: Square to Square 2008 logo

SQ2SQ 2008: actual mileage 81 miles

The Team continued their journey across northern Italy and headed towards Ostellato and continued to descend ending at 20 metres below sea level (form their height in the Alps of 1,945 metres above sea level.

Day 10 saw the Team complete 103 miles across the northern plains of Italy (in temperatures in the low to mid 30's in the shade) through to Ostellato. The Team were met on the way by the Ferrero Fire Service Cycling Team (Ferraro is a county in northern Italy) in the town of Poggio Renatico and accompanied the Team through to Ferraro town centre and then onwards to Ostellato.

In Ostellato the Team were met by the Mayor of Ostellato and Ernesto Bruni (ex stage winner of the Tour de France and winner of Olympic medals), along with suporters and the Assistant Chief Fire Officer of the Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service, Steve Apter.

A civic reception was then held for the Team, where the Assistant Chief Fire Officer Steve Apter, made a speech in Italian to those present. This was reciprocated by the Ferraro Fire Service Chief Fire Officer.

Other speeches were made by the Mayor of Ostellato, along with Rosie Barnard (part of the SQ2SQ 2008 UK support who organised the reception with the Ostellato Mayor's office). The Isle of Wight Flag, given to the SQ2SQ 2008 Team by Cllr David Pugh and Cllr Lady Pigot (Leader and Deputy Leader of the Isle of Wight Council) on their day of departure from the Isle of Wight (30 August 2008) was passed to the Mayor.

The Team were then given accommodation and hospitality courtesy of the Mayor.

image: Square to Square 2008 logoChallenge ride: 9 September 2008:

Road cycling

 

Distance: 81 miles

Time: 4:51

Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,024 m / -1,063 m

Min/Max Elevation: -20 m / 34 m

Avg Speed: 16.6 mph
Max Speed: 27.6 mph

Heart rate average: 115 bpm

Heart rate max: 148 bpm

Calories used: 4,861 kcals plus 1,800 BMR

Additional info: Dry and hot

SQ2SQ 2008 route day 10 09092008